I’m still waking up after stopping the drugs the doctors gave me for 30 years. Once I was physically disabled ten years ago, I started to have more time to think. It had never made much sense to think of myself as bipolar. I mean, I read the texts, the scientists and researchers. And it was all so vague. Emotions squashed, then writ larger than life, distorted. I read the autobiographies and self-help books. I went for therapy. But I never got better. And I never fit in. So, I don’t belong with the Bipolar II misfits. I’ve begun to conclude that I am not the problem.
I and many generations of women in my family have been diagnosed with bipolar, manic depression. Now I am mostly off my medication but am still dealing from the withdrawals that are still causing problems. Women primarily have been the ones diagnosed with this. The mental health industry in general was created to have a place where women could be locked up for their hysteria and melancholy. It was a way for men and society to lock away those whom were different so we didn’t have to face different and so those in society did not have to look at the harm that was being systematically placed on those who did not fit the mold of what the ruling party wanted, what made them feel comfortable what made them not have to question their status quo. The idea that “I am not the problem, you are” the truth is all of us are the problem but working together we can also come up with solutions if we just learn to communicate our needs and weaknesses and and seek inspiration to think outside the box for solutions. There are times that people have to be put away from society to get away from the noise and distractions, to heal and reflect.
For me mental health hospitals and medications may have temporarily preserved my life but they are in no way a solution and sometimes have actually caused more trauma and harm in the end.
Mental health care may seem complex. However, in my experience as both a patient and a provider the relationship, communication, and learning from one another through genuine collaboration due to true listening and exceptional problem solving skills does more to heal than any other thing. This can take time, wisdom, a willingness to learn, and a desire for healing.
Thank you for writing this. It's absolutely crazy how many people are being diagnosed left and right with Bipolar Disorder for no good reason at all, and then they're stuck with that diagnosis forever and prescribed a s**t load of psychotropic drugs that cause horrific side effects and outcomes. Yes, RESIST like your life or your loved one's life depends on it, because it does.
I’m still waking up after stopping the drugs the doctors gave me for 30 years. Once I was physically disabled ten years ago, I started to have more time to think. It had never made much sense to think of myself as bipolar. I mean, I read the texts, the scientists and researchers. And it was all so vague. Emotions squashed, then writ larger than life, distorted. I read the autobiographies and self-help books. I went for therapy. But I never got better. And I never fit in. So, I don’t belong with the Bipolar II misfits. I’ve begun to conclude that I am not the problem.
I and many generations of women in my family have been diagnosed with bipolar, manic depression. Now I am mostly off my medication but am still dealing from the withdrawals that are still causing problems. Women primarily have been the ones diagnosed with this. The mental health industry in general was created to have a place where women could be locked up for their hysteria and melancholy. It was a way for men and society to lock away those whom were different so we didn’t have to face different and so those in society did not have to look at the harm that was being systematically placed on those who did not fit the mold of what the ruling party wanted, what made them feel comfortable what made them not have to question their status quo. The idea that “I am not the problem, you are” the truth is all of us are the problem but working together we can also come up with solutions if we just learn to communicate our needs and weaknesses and and seek inspiration to think outside the box for solutions. There are times that people have to be put away from society to get away from the noise and distractions, to heal and reflect.
For me mental health hospitals and medications may have temporarily preserved my life but they are in no way a solution and sometimes have actually caused more trauma and harm in the end.
Mental health care may seem complex. However, in my experience as both a patient and a provider the relationship, communication, and learning from one another through genuine collaboration due to true listening and exceptional problem solving skills does more to heal than any other thing. This can take time, wisdom, a willingness to learn, and a desire for healing.
Thank you for writing this. It's absolutely crazy how many people are being diagnosed left and right with Bipolar Disorder for no good reason at all, and then they're stuck with that diagnosis forever and prescribed a s**t load of psychotropic drugs that cause horrific side effects and outcomes. Yes, RESIST like your life or your loved one's life depends on it, because it does.
Was given a false bipolar diagnosis in my teens and that nearly derailed my whole life, really glad to be where I am today
Another comprehensive post about how pharmaceuticals are drugging Americans. Thank you for getting the word out.